Brief Overview of Tai/ Thai History 1

Thailand: At the Crossroads of Asia What is the significance of being at the ‘crossroads’ of Asia? What might be the consequences of Thailand’s geographic position?

The Creation Story Thai folklore: A long time ago a poor brother and sister caught a bamboo rat that was burrowing in the earth. The rat told them a great flood was coming and told them to seal themselves inside a hollowed-out gourd until the flood was over. After the flood the brother and sister realized they were the only one alive. The received a “sign” from the heavens and the girl gave birth to a gourd. One day they could hear noises from the gourd. They opened it and people of all colors emerged. This is the legend of the origin of the different races and cultures in SE Asia.

The Tai Who are the Tai? Where did they come from? How much do we know about them? How do we know that someone from Korat is probably Tai but someone from Surin is probably not? What ‘signs’, ‘characteristics’ identify a Tai? By the end of this slide show you should be able to answer these questions.

The Origins of the Tai? Conflicting theories Origin in Southern China/ Northern Vietnam Not Chinese Pressure as Han Chinese moved south Spread out from Northern India, SEA and China Migration slow process 8th century northern SEA Began to become powerful in 11th – 12th centuries The forebears of the modern Thai were Tai-speaking people living south of the Chang Jiang (Yantze River) on the mountainous plateau of what is now the Chinese province of Yunnan and/or in parts for northern Vietnam. Tai speakers share a collective linguistic and cultural identity and are spread over Southeast Asia. In some cases there are more cultural common traits with other Tai people than other races of the same nationality. Over several centuries, bands of Tai from Yunnan moved steadily into Southeast Asia as Han Chinese armies spread from the north, and by the 13th century, they had reached as far west as Assam (in present-day India). Most of the Tai settled on the northern and western fringes of the Khmer Empire. They arrived specifically in the modern geographical borders of Thailand about 1,000 years ago. Initially, the Tai probably coexisted with the earlier Khmer and Mon inhabitants as each practiced a different rice growing technique and therefore had a preference for different kinds of land (minimal conflict). Even with migration inflows, the population of the Chao Phraya basin was still very sparse due to natural barriers, particularly disease. Always space for new comers – adds to the social complexity over the subsequent centuries. Sparsity also underlies war, slavery and slave raiding.

Tai Peoples: Thailand & SEA Tai People (largest group in Thailand) Siamese Lao Other ethnic groups Mon Khmer Chinese & Indian Immigrants Other Indigenous People In Southeast Asia Laos Vietnam Myanmar (Burma) Southwest China Tai People- 80-100 million in SE Asia- 35-40 million live in Thailand Again, Tai people share cultural and linguistic similarities. So in this case, Tai people in Thailand may share more similarities with Tai people in other countries than with cultural groups different from themselves living in Thailand such as the Khmer or Mon. This, as well, explains some regions similarities of people across different countries.

How do we identify Tai people? Spoken Language Monosyllabic Tonal (# vary) Culture Family ties Head: sacred Housing Festivals Songkran Linguistically, Thai as it is spoken today has incorporated so many basic words, grammatical rules and syntactic principles from other languages that it is different from any other language in the Tai grouping. Again, points to social complexity and the difficulties of determining ‘Thai-ness’.

Early Tai Villages and Muang Tai people lived in the lowlands and river valleys in SE Asia Other ethnic/ linguistic groups lived in the hills Tai Village: nuclear families subsistence rice farming elevated houses Bonded together for help & protection Early Tai villages were organized based on geography and cultural differences. Tai people lived in the lowlands while other ethnic/ linguistic groups in the hills. This remains the same in modern times with Tai’s living in the cities and ethnic groups (Hmong, Karen, Kariang… “hill tribes”) live in the mountainous areas. Tai coexist with existing inhabitants  Different modes of rice-growing and so not competing for the same land Early Tai Villages were organized around families.

Early Tai Villages and Muang Village Organization Village Council of elders Manage the village Settle problems Organize festivals and rites Muang - group of villages Governed by a chao (lord) Managed the villages Managed the hill groups: slaves or laborers Negotiate with other foreign authorities (Vietnamese/ Chinese) Eventually Tai villages organized themselves in more hierarchical structures This was mainly due to the increasing pressures from outside groups. Chao/jao organizes his muang much like a landlord. The idea of chaiyaphum – ‘victorious emplacement’. An enlightened jao can add to these natural attractions for prospective inhabitants. Foreshadow the Sukothai inscription. The concept of ‘emboxment’ in which political alliances between a superior muang and subordinate ones were based on a particular conception of power – mandala. Webs of military, commercial and political relations were flexible and fluid.

The ‘Mandala State’ Power is not about controlling territory. Power is not consistent and weakens the further one gets from the center. Webs of political, military and commercial relations are flexible and fluid – the concept of a ‘border’ is alien. Fragmented pattern of human settlement was reflected in the region’s fragmented politics.

Mon and Khmer Influence The 1200’s see some significant change within Southeast Asia. Up until the mid- 1200’s the region had been dominated by the Mon and Khmer empires – which were greatly influenced by Indian culture. For the next 100 years , the main changes occurred: the movement of Tai people from the highland areas into the lowlands- first establishing small villages, city states and then groups to rival these other large empires. The establishment of Buddhism (Singhalese- Theravada Buddhism) Rise in power of the Mongols in China: extension of power through diplomatic and military means to the new Tai states How will these new states be different? By the mid 1300’s the empires of Pagan and Angkor began to decline and we see the rise of Sukohthai and Ayutthaya. Political landscape was now divided into many smaller states, with relatively more equal political and military power.

Northern Thai Kingdoms Early “Tai” states Yunnan – Southern China Black River – Vietnam Chiang Saen – Chang Rai Lan Chang – Laos Lan Na Northern Thailand Capital = Chiang Mai Network linking to other Tai Princes Northern Thai Kingdoms Early 13th century Northern Thai kingdoms were actually scattered city-states such as Sukhothai, Lanna, and Phayao: not all underwent changes to the same degree or simultaneously. These were usually located in fertile, self-sustaining communities in terms of food, fuel, building materials and clothing. These were small in comparison to the larger Empires in the region- Mon Empire of Pagan (Burma)- Khmer Empire of Angkor (Cambodia) They were individually powerless to defy Khmer suzerainty, exercised from Angkor’s royal court. In 1238, two Thai chieftains, Khun Bang Klang Hao and Khun Pha Muang combined forces and threw off the Khmer power to set up an independent Thai kingdom. The Thai have traditionally regarded the founding of the Kingdom of Sukhothai as marking their emergence as a distinct nation.

Sukhothai 1238-1438 Established as small Kingdom Unique from other Tai groups - called “Siamese” Khmer inscription “Syam” – “dark brown” Spread through conquest and marriage alliance Influence of Angkor Empire Theravada Buddhism The kingdom was bounded by Lamphun to the north, by Dong Praya Yen mountain to the northeast, by Hongsawadee to the west and by the Malay Peninsula to the south. The Sukhothai Kingdom was first established as a small kingdom. Settled in the Central Plain- Chao Phraya River Basin. 2 Elements Substantial populations of Tai established in the Central Plains Exposure to society, culture and politics of the old Angkor Empire Developed differently from other Tai groups- influence of the Angkor Empire; Khmer politics, culture Hierarchical political organizations Administrative Networks Elite given roles during Khmer strength Theravada Buddhism (unique)--- they were called “Siamese” Native animist beliefs Indian Brahminism First king of Sukhothai, King Sri-Intharatith. Sukhothai’s power and influence expanded in the central region Inter marriage and kinship ties to other Tai groups 2) Other groups remained powerful: Lanna, Phayao, Lopburi- but good relations Syam – dark brown – Schliesinger pg. 83

Ramkhamhaeng: Rama the Bold Inscription of 1292 In the time of King Ramkhamhaeng this land of Sukhothai is thriving. There is fish in the water and rice in the fields. The lord of the realm does not levy toll on his subjects for travelling the roads; they lead their cattle to trade or ride their horses to sell; whoever wants to trade in elephants, does so , whoever wants to trade in horses, does so, whoever wants to trade in silver and gold, does so. When any commoner or man of rank dies, his estate- his elephants, wives, children, granaries, rice, retainers and groves of areca and betel- is left in its entirety to his son. When commoners or men of rank differ and disagree, [the King] examines the case to get at the truth and then settles it justly for them. He does not connive with thieves or favor concealers [of stolen goods]. When he sees someone’s rice he does not covet it, when he sees someone’s wealth he does not get angry… He has hung a bell in the opening of the gate over there: if any commoner in the land has a grievance which sickens his belly and gripes his heart, and which he wants to make known to his ruler and lord, it is easy; he goes and strikes the bell which the King has hung there; King Ramkhamhaeng, the ruler of the kingdom, hears the call; he goes and questions the man, examines the case and decides it justly for him. So the people of this muang of Sukhothai praise him. How will this King rule? - Give some examples of his leadership, changes and the social aspects of society from the inscription.

Ramkhamhaeng: Rama the Bold In the time of King Ramkhamhaeng this land of Sukhothai is thriving. There is fish in the water and rice in the fields. The lord of the realm does not levy toll on his subjects for travelling the roads; they lead their cattle to trade or ride their horses to sell; whoever wants to trade in elephants, does so , whoever wants to trade in horses, does so, whoever wants to trade in silver and gold, does so.

Ramkhamhaeng: Rama the Bold In the time of King Ramkhamhaeng this land of Sukhothai is thriving. There is fish in the water and rice in the fields. The lord of the realm does not levy toll on his subjects for travelling the roads; they lead their cattle to trade or ride their horses to sell; whoever wants to trade in elephants, does so , whoever wants to trade in horses, does so, whoever wants to trade in silver and gold, does so. Life is good Taxes (toll) are not too high General freedom trade/ jobs

Ramkhamhaeng: Rama the Bold When any commoner or man of rank dies, his estate- his elephants, wives, children, granaries, rice, retainers and groves of areca and betel - is left in its entirety to his son.

Ramkhamhaeng: Rama the Bold When any commoner or man of rank dies, his estate- his elephants, wives, children, granaries, rice, retainers and groves of areca and betel - is left in its entirety to his son. Inheritance passed onto family, not taken by state/ King

Ramkhamhaeng: Rama the Bold When a commoner or men of rank differ and disagree, [the King] examines the case to get at the truth and then settles it justly for them. He does not connive with thieves or favor concealers [of stolen goods]. When he sees someone’s rice he does not covet it, when he sees someone’s wealth he does not get angry…

Ramkhamhaeng: Rama the Bold When a commoner or men of rank differ and disagree, [the King] examines the case to get at the truth and then settles it justly for them. He does not connive with thieves or favor concealers [of stolen goods]. When he sees someone’s rice he does not covet it, when he sees someone’s wealth he does not get angry… King is fair/ just, judges all equally King is honest, not greedy

Ramkhamhaeng: Rama the Bold He has hung a bell in the opening of the gate over there: if any commoner in the land has a grievance which sickens his belly and gripes his heart, and which he wants to make known to his ruler and lord, it is easy; he goes and strikes the bell which the King has hung there; King Ramkhamhaeng, the ruler of the kingdom, hears the call; he goes and questions the man, examines the case and decides it justly for him. So the people of this muang of Sukhothai praise him.

Ramkhamhaeng: Rama the Bold He has hung a bell in the opening of the gate over there: if any commoner in the land has a grievance which sickens his belly and gripes his heart, and which he wants to make known to his ruler and lord, it is easy; he goes and strikes the bell which the King has hung there; King Ramkhamhaeng, the ruler of the kingdom, hears the call; he goes and questions the man, examines the case and decides it justly for him. So the people of this muang of Sukhothai praise him. King is accessible King is popular/ the people love the king

Sukhothai 1238-1438 Considered “First Thai Kingdom” King Ramkhamhaeng 1279-1298 Paternalistic Accessible Low tax Theravada Buddhism Thai alphabet The glory days of the Kingdom were during the reign of King Ramkhamhaeng the Great/ Rama the Bold In 1287 Ramkhamhaeng concluded an alliance against the Mongols with Mangrai (Lanna) and Ngam Muang (Phayao)- by this time, he had gained land and preeminence equal in Lanna in the central region New Rulership 1) “ Lord Father” Paternal Benevolence and accessibility- opposite of the rigid social hierarchy of the Angkok style- a distinct Tai/ Siamese style 2) Religious Importance- Buddhism: religious holidays and calendar. Share the throne where he heard subjects with the monks. 3) Growth of Kingdom: some conquering, but mostly through political loyalties, personal alliances, marriage and kin relationships 4) Art and Culture: monuments (ruins, but still idea of it’s height). Influence of Ceylon and China, but distinct to the particular culture 5) Incorporate other groups- Mon and Khmer: integration: written language, religious images – Vishnu and Shiva Ruled by Moral Authority Ramkhamhaeng’s Death- son could not continue in the same manner - Other Kingdoms still existed: Lanna, Phayao, Lopburi - territories broke away and became under the control of Ayutthaya

Theravada Buddhism Prime position of the monk. Popular due to its openness and inherent focus on equality. Rulers came to rely on the monkhood for support. Marriage of political and spiritual power. Different from other strains of Buddhism in the prime position accorded to the monk and monastic practice. The duty of the laity, including the ruler, is to sustain the monkhood patronage and protection. Popularity within the Chao Phraya basin lay in urban society’s appreciation of its openness (anyone could become a monk) and its inherent egalitarianism (all had the potential to realise nirvana – ultimate release from the material world). SEA rulers favoured Hindu gods as it allowed for the association of the ruler with the power gods of the Hindu pantheon. However, the popularity of Buddhism meant that rulers had to negotiate with the monkhood to provide them with their legitimacy / authority. Monks are important!